June

Stitched up for speeding

I took my mates 12 yr old kid out for a ride on my bike round the Sherburn area (Squires bar) the other night. I was riding along the old A1 (which is now the A63) when a marked police car that was parked up in the layby pulled me over and told me I had gone through a speed trap travelling at 101,5 mph. I told him I wasn’t and asked several times to see the evidence, in this case the V.A.S.C.A.R...

Riders volunteer had bike stolen at MotoGP

I’m a volunteer of riders for health of 10 years who helps at bsb rounds, wsb and day of champions, helping bikers to look after their gear while they watch the racing. Sadly sunday motogp race day at 5:30am I woke to see out of my friend’s window that my bike had been stolen. I don’t expect to see it again, but if anyone can help, it was a red Honda firestorm reg v22 ady, 2005 model, chassis no...

Lack of response

I wrote to the Department of Transport (Ruth Kelly in particular) regarding the doubling of road tax and the constant picking on motorcyclists. Guess what…she does not have the balls to reply! Gordon Brown said he needs to ‘listen’ to the people of this country. I think he needs to tell the other ministers to do the same! Why do we vote these muppets in?

Ben Vs. Rossi

Ben Vs. Rossi

This picture is of our son Ben White who is 1 year old and loves watching motorcycle racing except he looks a bit scared in the picture about Valentino Rossi coming up behind him during saturdays...

Mr. Government Statistic

Mr. Government Statistic

I must be Mr government statistic, born again rider passing on a direct access at 40. First bike was a 600 naked bandit and now im on an R6. i read the governments statistics on riders being killed...

The DVLA lost my motorcycle licence

The DVLA lost my motorcycle licence

The DVLA lost my bike licence! I passed way back in 1983, but I still had to retake it in 2006.  I also had to start again with my no claims bonus, but they didn’t really care.

Unexpected insurance costs

I cancelled my policy that had been with Bennetts for 5 years some 4 months before the end as I had sold my bike. I was staggered to find that they charged me £30 for the priviledge and no refund on the unexpired 4 months, in fact they charged me extra where you pay a higher amount for a shorter term of insurance. I shall never use Bennetts again.

Work for MCN

Work for MCN

Motor Cycle News is the world’s biggest selling weekly motorcycle publication and market leading website. With a history that stretches over five decades and an audited circulation of over 128,000...

Bus Lane Scam?

Is this legal? Last month I received a PCN regarding a possible bus lane infringement. I asked to see a copy of their evidence. I received a series of stills taken a few seconds apart that show a bike, filmed from the front so no number plate is shown, moving into a bus lane to overtake a lorry that was waiting to turn right and blocking the traffic lane. The next still, taken 8 seconds later,...

John Lennon’s Monkey Bike sells for £30,000

John Lennon’s Monkey Bike sells for £30,000

The auction of a monkey bike once owned by John Lennon (MCN, April 23, 2008) has surpassed the reserve price set out by auction house Bonhams by a massive £22,000. Bonhams had set the reserve price...

My design for an Aston Martin motorcycle

My design for an Aston Martin motorcycle

This is my design for an Aston Martin motorcycle, if ever they decided to build one. I think they would call it the Aston Martin DB V4.

The police really are anti-motorcycle

I had a very interesting conversation/debate yesterday with two of our illustrious boys in blue and it became very apparent very early in the conversation that they really are anti-motorcycle From the arguments that they were putting forward it was clear as far as they were concerned that we as a group are the problem on the roads and car drivers apparently could do no wrong. As is usual with...

Free parts offered with GSX-R1000

Free parts offered with GSX-R1000

Suzuki is looking to tempt buyers towards its GSX-R1000 by offering them £700-worth of free accessories if they purchase the motorcycle before September 30. Buyers would be given a choice of 195...

Donington Park boss: DVLA lost my motorcycle licence

Donington Park boss: DVLA lost my motorcycle licence

The boss of Donington Park says he had to retake his test after DVLA lost all record of his motorcycle licence. Simon Gillett – who has 20 years’s riding experience – had to take a last minute test...

MCN Daily 18-06-08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 129 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show Yamaha unveil its revised 2009 motocross motorcycle range, Xerox Ducati target Shane Byrne and Hayden fears he could be axed.   Subscribe to this podcast with RSS  Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you think of the new show.

Mid-Wales gets new Kawasaki dealership

Mid-Wales gets new Kawasaki dealership

Kawasaki has expanded the number of official dealerships in the UK, with the addition of GT Superbikes in Talbot Green, Mid-Glamorgan, now added to its dealer list. The outlet is owned by Gareth Gill...

You're a biker if:

If you can keep your lid when all about you are dropping theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust your map when all men doubt you But make allowance for their GPS, If you can wait at lights and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too cool, nor boast too much If you can wheelie — and not make wheelies...

New Yamaha motocrossers unveiled

New Yamaha motocrossers unveiled

Yamaha has just unveiled its revised 2009 motocross motorcycle range. The four-stroke YZ250F and YZ450F gain a new lighter swingarm and rear wheel hub, a larger and more rigid rear wheel spindle and...

Video: JvB Moto Scrambler tested

MCN travelled to Cologne, Germany to ride JvB’s Moto Ducati Scrambler and it’s one of the most agile, responsive, fun machines we’ve ever ridden. The motorcycle starts off as a Ducati Monster and ten weeks and 8000 Euros later it’s transformed into this mad Scrambler. Check out our video below to see what Senior Road Tester Michael Neeves makes of the Scrambler and meet Jens, the brains behind the...

Video: Ace Cafe Racer unveiled

MCN was invited to take a sneak peak at the completed Ace Cafe Racer before it is shipped to the United States and we have some video footage of it running. Mark Wilsmore, Managing Director of the Ace Cafe, unveiled the bike to a select group of family and friends. Upon its arrival in America it will be part of the 50th anniversary party of engine manufacturer S&S and at the Sturgis Motorcycle...

New MCN June 18: Get your free 16-page British MotoGP preview

New MCN June 18: Get your free 16-page British MotoGP preview

CLICK HERE for your free 16-page digital sample of this week’s MCN! It’s all about the British MotoGP this week as we bring you an exclusive free 16-page preview with all you need to know ahead of...

Speed camera bosses lose video said to show cameras cause crashes

Speed camera bosses lose video said to show cameras cause crashes

Speed camera bosses claim to have lost video footage said to show that cameras cause crashes. The footage – showing cars braking heavily and crashing as they approach a speed camera – appeared on the...

Vote in RiDER Power to win motorbike gear worth £2000

Vote in RiDER Power to win motorbike gear worth £2000

Our sister publication RiDE is currently running their annual online poll to see what you like as a rider and you could win £2000 worth of motorbike kit when you take part in RiDER Power, the world’s...

First Euro standard for motorcycle friendly crash barriers

First Euro standard for motorcycle friendly crash barriers

Crash barriers will have to meet minimum safety requirements for motorcyclists for the first time ever, the European standards committee has voted. The European Committee for Standardisation voted on...

Michael Schumacher crashes Honda Fireblade at Sachsenring

Michael Schumacher crashes Honda Fireblade at Sachsenring

Michael Schumacher’s chances of victory at the forthcoming German Superbike races at Sachsenring don’t look good, after the former F1 champion threw his Honda Fireblade away mid-corner during...

Thousands of cyclists sign to keep motorcyclists out of bus lanes

Thousands of cyclists sign to keep motorcyclists out of bus lanes

A petition asking London Mayor Boris Johnson not to let motorcyclists use bus lanes has gained over 3,000 signatures, according to the London Cycling Campaign. The group is urging Johnson to rethink...

Motorcycle tyre prices set to rise, as raw material costs increase

Motorcycle tyre prices set to rise, as raw material costs increase

The cost of motorcycle tyres is on the rise, with major tyre manufacturers confirming to MCN that hikes in the price of raw materials and a rise in transportation costs had forced them to raise their...

MCN Daily 16-06-08: Your daily video motorcycle news

In episode 127 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show Tommy Hill suffers another injury setback, joy for Haga in Germany and Shakey Byrne dominates at Snetterton.  Subscribe to this podcast with RSS  Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you think of the new show.

Morini Corsaro 1200 Veloce gets new paint scheme for 2008

Morini Corsaro 1200 Veloce gets new paint scheme for 2008

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Morini has given its Corsaro 1200 Veloce a new white paint scheme for 2008. The Morini Corsaro 1200 Veloce also gets revised fuel injection to smooth out the throttle...

MCN’s Yamaha R6 meets a fiery end

MCN’s Yamaha R6 meets a fiery end

This is the result of MCN’s Senior Writer Andy Downes’ track day mishap at Brands Hatch this morning (Monday). Andy highsided the Yamaha R6 on the exit of Druids, and the impact of the crash resulted...

Youngest James Toseland fan?

Youngest James Toseland fan?

Brandon Wynne, aged 18 months shows support for his Daddy and James Toseland who will both be riding for Riders for Health at the Day of Champions this week at Donnington Park.

KTM 990 Supermoto video

The KTM 990 Supermoto is a lot of fun but very bad for your drivers license. Funfactor: 9.5

Excellent service

I would like to thank the motorcycle fraternity for all of those that stopped to held me when I crashed into the Pembury roundabout on the A21 last Sunday 8th June(afterwards two cars had a bang as the drivers were rubber necking). When I examined my motorcycle (Honda NT700V Deauville) there was oil on the rear wheel and the sump drain plug was missing. My bike had caused the crash The AA got my...

Bad vibrations from the new Suzuki Hayabusa

I bought a Suzuki Hayabusa K8 six months ago. Since about 400 miles it has developed bad vibrations through the whole of the motorcycle. It vibrates through the pegs handlebars, tank and seats etc… Resulting in numb fingers and hands. It has now done 1075 miles and it’s just as bad. I had it back to my local dealer – Powersport  of Bradford who got an area tecnician out. He compared my Suzuki...

Video: Onboard Suzuki GSX-R750 at Oulton Park

MCN Man Michael Neeves got an eye opening one-one-training session with California Superbike School master Andy Ibbott and you can see the result below. We’ll be bringing you the full video of everything Neeves learnt form the day with Ibbott at Oulton Park soon, but in the mean time you can see the result of the training in the flying lap of Oulton Park on Neeves’ Suzuki GSX-R750 below.

New Suzuki 125cc Sixteen extends learner legal range

New Suzuki 125cc Sixteen extends learner legal range

Suzuki has launched an all-new big wheeled scooter – the 125cc Sixteen, available with free insurance. The Suzuki 125cc Sixteen features 16 inch wheels to aid stability and linked brakes for ease of...